Airtel Africa and UNICEF have announced a five-year pan-African partnership to assist accelerate the adoption of digital learning by connecting schools to the internet and providing free access to learning platforms in 13 African nations.
The collaboration will help to ensure that every kid reaches their full potential by ensuring equal access to high-quality digital learning, particularly for the most vulnerable children.
Airtel Africa, Africa’s leading telecommunications and mobile money provider is the first African private sector partner to commit a multimillion-dollar investment to UNICEF’s ‘Reimagine Education’ initiative, which calls for public and private sector investment in digital learning as an essential service for every child and young person around the world. During the continuing global pandemic, this project strives to give youngsters an opportunity to catch up on their learning needs.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or put on hold the education of hundreds of millions of children in Africa,” stated UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “This cooperation with Airtel Africa will assist put children’s leaning back on track by advocating digital education for children in Africa.”
Airtel Africa will provide $57 million in cash and in-kind to this relationship over the next five years, through 2027. The program will use technology and experience, as well as direct financial assistance, to connect schools and communities to the internet and provide learners with free access to online educational resources.
It will also provide crucial data insights to UNICEF’s efforts to scale up digital learning and ensure that it is sustainable and fits the requirements of African kids.
“As a company, we’ve prioritized education as a critical area of corporate social responsibility, and we’re excited that this cooperation with UNICEF will help us achieve our goals faster.” It also coincides with the unveiling of our new sustainability plan, which outlines our commitment to education,” Airtel Africa CEO Olusegun Ogunsanya stated. “We’re pleased to be collaborating with UNICEF to advance the continent’s education goal by facilitating connection and internet access to help drive change,” he added.
Learners in Chad, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia will benefit from the Airtel Africa and UNICEF pan-African collaboration.